People dealing with diabetes in the Easton area will be getting some new tools in their fight against the disease.

Easton Hospital this week announced a new program, ABC Diabetes, to teach diabetics how to improve their handling of the widespread disease.

According to the hospital's news release:

The program will include individual sessions, group classes, glucose monitoring systems and support teams, all anchored by Easton Hospital primary care physicians.

“Diabetes affects more than 23 million Americans and is one of the country’s fastest growing health epidemics,” CEO John Zidansek said in the news release. “So this comprehensive education program will fill a major need for people living with diabetes in our communities.”

Recognized by the American Diabetes Association, the comprehensive program will assist people who have had the disease for a short time or a long time. “It’s important to have a program that will create significant health benefits for our patients,” said Karen Vadyak, chief nursing officer. “Offering this program was a goal we wanted to achieve early in 2014 since there are so many people who can be positively impacted.”

The program is based on self-management education, so participants can learn the importance of monitoring blood sugar, healthy eating, avoiding complications and living well with diabetes, it said. Participants are encouraged to bring a family member or friend who can help support diabetes management.

To speak with an Education Specialist or learn more about the program, it said, call 610-829-9645. The ABC Diabetes Education Program is covered by most health insurance carriers, including Medicare.

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ABOUT THE WRITERS

TIM DARRAGH has been reporting and editing the news for 30 years, most of it at The Morning Call. For much of that time, he's been doing award-winning investigative and in-depth reporting projects. Tim created the three-year-long Change of Heart project, and wrote a series on the state's fractured food inspection system that led to widespread improvements in food safety. Meantime, that novice jogger you see plodding along the streets around Bethlehem Township? That would be Tim.